UK - Thousands of British soldiers are unfit for battle because of medical conditions, and the Royal Navy may need French ships in order to fight, calling into question whether the UK’s military is able to defend Britain at all.
Up to 8,000 people are unable to be deployed to the frontline because of mental or physical conditions, lack of fitness or non-medical conditions. That is on top of 10,000 who are deemed medically fit, but are still short of being able to join all operations.
But it looks like Britain’s defense struggle has not gone unnoticed across the Channel, as the old enemy, though more-latterly ally, France has now said it would be happy to offer the UK greater access to its warships. It comes amid plans to scrap Britain’s amphibious landing fleet to help plug a £20 billion (US$26.7 billion) funding black hole.